Selangor, 22 February - Ending gender-based violence often begins with breaking the cycle. With that in mind, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Malaysia has partnered with Selangor Islamic University (UIS) and Yayasan KUIS to empower survivors of domestic violence and finance the education of children of the survivors. The partnership charts the way forward for innovative solutions such as the Orange Perpetual Fund and the Work Kafalah programme. Together, these intervention and development funds and programmes aim to contribute to the safety, recovery and empowerment of individuals impacted by domestic violence.
The Orange Perpetual Fund, jointly operated by UNFPA Malaysia and Yayasan KUIS, is a scholarship programme backed by seed funding from both parties aimed at supporting tertiary education for children of domestic violence survivors. The Work Kafalah programme, a collaboration between UNFPA Malaysia and UIS, aims to empower survivors with the skills and knowledge necessary to rebuild and reclaim control of their lives via economic empowerment and financial literacy.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Malaysia and Selangor Islamic University (UIS), and Yayasan KUIS also saw a panel discussion titled, "The Role of Islamic Social Finance in Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors", with Professor Aishath Muneeza, Islamic Financing Consultant, UNFPA Malaysia; Puan Nurul Balqis, Shariah Banking Operations, Vice President, Bank Rakyat; Mr Mohd Faiz bin Rahim, Shariah Department Head, Affin Islamic Bank; Dr Fatin Nur Majdina Nordin, Vice President, Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM).
The timely discussion, ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8th themed, Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress, focused on shedding some light on how the infrastructure of Islamic social financing can effectively address the challenges domestic violence survivors face, empower them and ensure the rights and choices of survivors and their children.
As highlighted by Dr Asa Torkelsson, UNFPA Malaysia Country Representative, “Addressing gender-based violence requires a multi-pronged approach, and this is a key area in which UNFPA works relentlessly in - and it is timely, considering the high number of domestic violence cases in Selangor (4,690) just within 2020 to August 2023, according to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).” Across the globe, the UNFPA works in more than 150 countries and territories to respond to and reduce gender-based violence.
Dato’ Associate Professor Dr Mohd Farid Ravi Abdullah, Vice Chancellor of UIS, added, "I hope this awareness program on the empowerment of domestic violence survivors will bring about positive impacts to their life, and they are able to be financially independent". Also present at the event was YBhg Datuk Hasanuddin Bin Mohd Yunus, Chairman of Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM), who delivered an officiating speech on behalf of YB Senator Dr Zulkifli Hassan, Religious Affairs Deputy Minister, reiterated the need for programmes and initiatives aimed at providing economic empowerment to survivors of domestic abuse and further expressed, “I hope that the initiatives that will be implemented can be well received by the institutions involved. I welcome the active role of Islamic financial institutions in this specific matter.”
More details on the Islamic financing solutions will be announced in due course.
###
ABOUT UNFPA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is an agency under the UN that aims to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Visit malaysia.unfpa.org for further information
ABOUT SELANGOR ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
Selangor Islamic University is an Islamic Higher Education Institution wholly owned by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS). Its official establishment on 15 February 1995 as Islamic College Darul Ehsan proves the Selangor state government's commitment to developing education and knowledge excellence agenda. SIU is officially registered as a full-fledged university under the Private Higher Education Institutions Act 1996. The certificate of registration was granted on 20th July 2023 from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education. SIU offers study programs at the Foundation, Diploma, Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Philosophy levels that have met the qualifications of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) across various disciplines, including Islamic studies, business studies, Islamic banking, accountancy, linguistics, education, media and communication, halal management, multimedia creative, and information technology. Visit www.kuis.edu.my for further information.
ABOUT YAYASAN KUIS
Yayasan KUIS is a Non-Profit Organization established by the Selangor Islamic University (UIS) with an aim to provide financial assistance and services for education purposes and to generate a culture of excellence among Malaysians. Visit www.yayasankuis.com for further information.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For further inquiries or any other related media matters, kindly please contact:
Jasnitha Nair: jnair@unfpa.org
Ammar Rahimi: bpd@yayasankuis.com
Mr. Sarazie Ramlan: stratcomm@kuis.edu.my
